If you are relocating to Charleston, SC there are many questions that you will have about the city, the schools, the climate, the economy, and much more.  First and foremost, Charleston is the second largest city in South Carolina; the capital city  of Columbia is the largest.  In the Charleston Metro Area, a tri-county area, the population growth is expected to reach 600,000 people by 2015.

The Charleston Economy

The economy of Charleston is strong.  In fact, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance has been responsible for securing more than 4,500 new jobs including employers such as Nucor Steel and Google.  More than 8 million tons of cargo goes through the Port of Charleston which employs an estimated 17,000 people.  The tourism industry has continued to grow and for five years running, and Charleston has been named among the top ten domestic travel destinations.

Education

Education for students K-12 is provided by the Charleston County School District, Dorcester County School District or Berkeley County School District.  There are over two dozen accredited private schools as well.  Higher education is provided by The Citadel, the College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, Trident Technical College and the Medical University of South Carolina. 

Traffic

The City of Charleston’s Department of Traffic and Transportation continually studies, plans, and implements the traffic operations and transportation services of Charleston so that people and goods can maintain safe and efficient movement throughout the City.  Through the use of a computerized traffic signal and closed-circuit camera monitoring systems, traffic can be directed as needed for volume or even emergency response. 

Climate

Being in a southern coastal state, Charleston has a warm climate.  The average January temperature is just 55 degrees and in July the average is 82, but sometimes can peak above 100 degrees.  Humidity in the Lowcountry tends to make the warm days seem warmer and the cold days even colder, but springtime more than makes up for any discomfort experienced in the other seasons.  It’s the best time of the year where the days are warm,  the nights barely have a chill, and everything seems to be in bloom. Charleston SC real estate offers luscious views, a subtropic climate, and a friendly atmosphere that will make for a place that you will be pleased to call home.